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Driving Retirement
Karen KafantarisAARP MichiganAssociate State DirectorLivable Communities and Community [email protected]
AARP MISSION AARP is dedicated to enhancing quality of life for all as we age. We lead positive social change and deliver value to members through information, advocacy and service.
AARP's VISION A society in which everyone ages with dignity and purpose, and in which AARP helps people fulfill their goals and dreams.
Started in 1958 by a retired school teacher – Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus
Over 40 million members nationwide
1.6 million members in Michigan
A state office in every capitol city
Focus on state level activities involving Livable Communities Community Service Economic Security and Work Health and Supportive Services Advocacy – both State and Federal
The New Buzz Word
Driving Retirement
A Few Statistics There are 4.5 million non-drivers older than age 75 today
There will be 6 million non-drivers older than age 75 by 2020
A man who is 70 today is likely to outlive his driving years by about 6 years
A woman who is 70 today is likely to outlive her driving years by about 11 years
Possible Implications of Driving Retirement
Potentially means Loss of independence and personal empowerment
Physical and social isolation Impairment of mental and physical well-being
Increase in health care expenditures Compromises ability to remain independent in one’s home
Interventions to support the transition process Pre-decision: Current driver – raising awareness using brochures, family and community discussions
Decision: Retiring Driver – Family conversations or group discussion programs
Post-Decision: Retired Drivers – Family and community involvement and group support programs
Stages and challenges Pre-Decision: characterized by increased difficulty in driving. Balancing Act: Older drivers find themselves in a balancing act, balancing obstacles to driving against the desire for independence
Awareness of driving abilities, emotional responses to driving and consequences of continuation or cessation
Stages and Challenges
Decision stage Characterized by either voluntary or involuntary decision to cease driving
Dual challenge of both making the decision and owning the decision
Stages and Challenges Post-Decision:
Make practical and emotional adjustments to lifestyle
Practical – finding new ways of accessing the community or substituting different interests that don’t include driving
Emotional – coming to terms with the losses that driving represented and maintaining feelings of control and ownership over the lifestyle
Recommendations Increase awareness of alternative driving options
Address perceived barriers Provide education and support to assist non-drivers to use transit alternatives
Improve media representation of retired drivers
Provide education and support to family members
Provide education and training to health professionals to enable them to assist people with transport planning in the future
Is This Issue Being Addressed
Transitioning issues need to be addressed at the community level - are more typically being addressed at the organization level (i.e. AARP and AAA-1B)
Funding for increased public transit and Para transit is another need that needs to be addressed
89 % of individuals surveyed by AARP said they wanted to remain independent in their own home
Driving Safety for the older driver is an emotionally charged issue
What causes the need for driving retirement Aging is an individual process that affects each person differently
Physical functions – i.e. strength, flexibility, range of motion
Visual limitations
Cognitive capabilities
Transitioning to driving retirement Self regulation Recognizing when to stop is more difficult Auto-centric society Little knowledge or use of alternative transportation
Relationship to driving/what driving means to them
AARP Mobility Programs
Driver Safety Program
CarFit
We Need To Talk
AARP Driver Safety Program
Understanding the effects of aging on driving
Learn driving strategies that take into account the changes we experience as we age
Identify the most common crash situations we face
Better understand today’s roads, vehicles and other road users
Identify when driving may no longer be safe
CarFit
A collaboration between AAA (American Automobile Assn.) AARP AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Assn)
ASA
CarFit Ill-fitting vehicles can make driving uncomfortable and even unsafe
Vehicles that fit better keep individuals safer While on the road In the event of a crash
Help individuals remain safe while on the road longer and therefore able to be independent longer
We Need To Talk
Developed by MIT Age Lab Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
AARP
We Need To Talk
Research determined that one of the most effective approaches to transitioning from driving to non-driving was through family conversations.
We Need To Talk
90 minute seminar about How to have the conversation about giving up the keys.
We Need To Talk
Having the conversation over a period of time.
First conversation should begin before the need to stop driving is at crisis point
Identifying or creating opportunities for conversations about limiting or stopping driving
On going conversations are important
We Need To Talk
Choosing the right person to have the
discussion with the older driver.
Spouse Adult Children Physician Law Enforcement
We Need To Talk
The right time to begin the conversation
How to prepare for the conversations
The different levels of conversations
We Need To Talk Planning for how your loved one is going to carry on their normal activities Helps emotionally to have a plan
How to deal with a high risk driver who refuses to stop driving
Dementia and driving
We Need To Talk
Deal with strong emotions, e.g., older drivers feeling angry or sad, family members feeling angry, frustrated or guilty
It’s a tough thing to do
AARP Resources
We Need To Talk – Family Conversations With Older Drivers
At the Crossroads – A Guide to Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia and Driving